Foggy Peak....and almost Castle Hill Peak

Foggy Peak lies at the top of Porters Pass and is visible from just about all over Mid Canterbury. Every time I am heading west via Porters Pass it captures my attention. I have been on top of Foggy Peak five times now, one of those times was via an alternative route to the top, the other four vis the steep climb from the top of the pass. Everything you will read about Foggy says that starting from here cuts the climb in half, but it doesn't make the climb any less difficult.

After ascent number four, I told myself that I did not NEED to go back to Foggy. But then the invite came for a mid week tramp, the weather was perfect and I forgot why I didn't NEED to go back to Foggy.

Our group met up in Springfield, and then carried on to the top of Porters Pass. The plan was for the majority of the group to ascend Foggy and carry on to Castle Hill Peak, the remaining three were only going to the top of Foggy and having a gently climb back down.

There is no easing into the climb, it is straight up right from the get-go. Initially there is scrub, and this quickly gives way to loose scree. When very dry this can by like walking on ball bearings and great care is needed, especially when descending. There are marker poles for a very short distance, then cairns take over. This is such a popular track that is is easy to follow the worn paths, at times there are a couple of options, but they all climb steeply and meet up in the end.

About three quarters of the way to the top of Foggy there is a small plateau and a massive cairn. This makes a great place to catch your breath, re-energise and stretch the calf muscles. From here it is another steep climb that fortunately is over quicker than the first.

It is always a great relieve to reach the top of Foggy, the views are outstanding, all the way to the East Coast and in to the Main Divide at Arthurs Pass, and looking down on Lake Lyndon.

To carry on to Castle Hill Peak is a straightforward, wide ridge walk. There is a brief descent from Foggy down to a saddle before climbing and traversing the long ridge to the base of the final climb up Castle Hill Peak.

Unfortunately for me, my head was elsewhere and I just didn't want to carry on. It wasn't really any decision, it was just a lack of motivation and a stubbornness to turn around and retreat. And this is ok, it's ok to want to turn around and not achieve the target, it's ok to have an off day.

So back I went to the remaining group on top of Foggy, who were enjoying the sunshine and the views. They even managed to find the geocache container!

I sat down and enjoyed my lunch, then packed up and enjoyed the downhill to the vehicles. We had about an hour to wait while the others had carried on and reached the top of Castle Hill Peak for their lunch, and return journey.